Ceromony

A Malay wedding begins with the akad nikah ceremony. The groom signs the marriage contract and agrees to provide the bride with a mas kahwin. After that, their hands are dyed with henna during the berinai besar ceremony. The bride's hair is also trimmed or being put on make-up by a beautician known as the mak andam. Women/Bride will also put on their 'tudung' or hijab to cover their hair and a 'selendang' or beautiful embroidered with beads scarf on top of their hijab. A crown is also placed on top of the scarf.

During the bersanding ceremony, the bridal couple will be seated on the dais and sprinkled with yellow rice and scented water by family members, relatives and guests as a sign of blessing. Each guest will receive a bunga telur, which means 'flower' and 'egg' - a symbol of a fertile union.

After the bersanding ceremony, the wedded couple and their guests will attend a celebratory feast called the makan beradab. This involves the bride and groom feeding each other sweetened rice. The celebrations are later concluded with poses for family photos.

Malay 's Table Manners

Like other races, Malay table manners is unique and the etiquette regarding food is also quite elaborate.Malay culture has a few ways of handling food which are still practised until today. There are rules and taboos that you must observe if you happen to be invited to a Malay home for a meal.

Malays are also invariably muslims, therefore there is no pork, non-halal meat or alcohol beverages served in a Malay home.

It is polite to bring a gift of fresh fruits to your host. This is called buah tangan. If it is a wedding reception at a village, it is nice to bring something sweet, like sugar, jelly or cakes in addition to your wedding present to the happy couple.

It is also acceptable to give a gift of cash for the newlyweds, you place the money in an envelope and hand it to either parent of the bride or groom upon leaving. The envelope is slipped discretely into their hands when you shake them to congratulate them on their son's or daughter's marriage.

After the trip

After the trip, I learnt many things like an old cemetery and how cheap the barber there charge you. Even though, over there the weather was sultry and humid, I feel that the trip there was worth it as I had really enjoyed the trip very much. I really hope that my parents can bring me to the musuem there.

Kampong Glam